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Colin Ferguson Talks About The Future For Himself And “Eureka”

December 19, 2011 , 1:52 am | By Bryan Reesman

"Don't tell anyone I don't work here anymore. I like the benefits."(Photo credit: Eike Schroter/Syfy.)

Eureka is going into the home stretch next June when the final season begins. It’s been a fun six-year ride for star Colin Ferguson, who’s gotten to play sheriff to a town of quirky, crazy scientists and inventors. He’s enjoyed every bit of it. When we met up at this month’s Syfy holiday party, I chatted with him about what we can expect from the show and his future.

What can you tell us about the final season of Eureka?
I can’t go into detail, but I wanted the premiere of season five — which is hands down, undeniably the best episode we’ve ever done — to be the season finale of season four because not only does it address what happens in season four, it takes a left turn at the end of the episode that no one sees coming. It turns the whole series on its ear for the next arc that they go on. It’s awesome and the best cliffhanger we have. At the end of the episode, you can’t help but go, “Damn!!!”

But you already turned the series upside down last season!
Yeah, I know. I have no clout, but I pitched — and I do this because I have their e-mails — that I wanted the first episode of season five to air as a two-part finale for season four because it’s a great turn.

But they clearly didn’t do that.
Surprisingly no, even though I e-mailed about it. Weird. It’s almost like I have no programming clout. Funny, huh?

Have you thought about what is going to happen for you after Eureka?
Well, yeah. I said no to something. It was just too early. I had just left Vancouver, and they wanted a six-year contract in Vancouver. I had literally left a month before, and I had just been there for six years and needed some time. The pilot season is kicking in, and I’ll sort something out in the new year, I guess. I’m enjoying my time being my own, I really am. The final season is in the can. We’ve done it. It is sort of like a victory lap. It still airs in the summer, so everyone else thinks I’m still employed, which is great.

And you’ve obviously enjoyed it. What are you going to miss the most about working on the show?
My family. I mean the Syfy family. Like Mark and Dave and Bonnie and Maureen and Brenda and Bill. These are the people who were a part of my life as it changed, and I won’t go back. I’m going to miss doing this silly Christmas party every year and the Upfronts and all the stuff that has sort of become routine in my life. They’re bit of a touchstone because you see these people once or twice a year, and they become part of your life. I will look back on this with nothing but positive feelings. It’s been a great, great run.

“It’s awesome and the best cliffhanger we have. At the end of the episode, you can’t help but go, ‘Damn!!!'”

And then you can start a standup comedy career!
That’s right, I’m going to take off. I’m going to be the loneliest standup comic in the world, going from venue to venue all around the country.

Why would you be so lonely?
Because it is. I used to do it. I used to do improv in Montréal, and I did stand up around the same time. It was 18 years ago. I liked it, it was fun, but it’s a hard run. If you’re wildly successful it’s different, but if you’re just doing the rounds, it’s hard.